JAMES Ford is predicting another nail-biter when the Bulls and rivals York clash again this weekend.

The last two visits to Bootham Crescent have both gone right to the wire.

Joe Keyes nailed a penalty after the hooter to clinch victory in League One in 2018 before the Knights had their revenge with a late drop-goal a year ago.

And York coach Ford has warned the fans to strap themselves in for yet more drama on Sunday.

“We are preparing for another really tough challenge and it wouldn’t surprise me if it goes to a golden point,” he said.

“Hopefully our drop goal will go over and theirs might miss again.

“You look at some of the games we’ve had, especially the one at Bootham Crescent last year where (Jordan) Lilley has hit the post with a drop goal and then ours hit the post and went over.

“Imagine if every game of rugby league was played to that level of excitement. Stadiums would be full up and down the country.

“Let’s just keep doing it. Let’s bring our best game again, excite the supporters and help the game continue to grow.”

York’s crowd of 4,007 to witness their dramatic 25-24 triumph last July was the largest since the club reformed 18 years ago.

Bulls’ first away fixture in the Championship this season was originally due to be the Knights’ first game at York’s new LNER Community Stadium.

But the match will be at Bootham Crescent with the opening date for the new ground still to be revealed.

Ford still expects another bumper turn-out – and is ready to renew his own hostilities with the vocal Bulls backing.

He said: “It will be a great atmosphere. The Bradford fans do a tremendous job of getting behind their side and probably getting under our skin a little bit as well.

“They certainly got under my skin when we played at Odsal. But that’s their job.

“I won’t hold it against them because that’s what they are there to do.

“The last couple of years have been fantastic. Having us and the Bulls was great for League One and we backed that up again last season.”

York confounded the pundits by finishing third in their first year in the Championship and the bar has been raised for this season.

But Ford added: “As I’ve always said, we’re not really interested in what anybody else outside the performance room expects of us.

“We just focus on our standards and being the best we can be.

“We can’t control how good other sides are, what referees do or what the weather’s like.

“If we’re the best we can be this year, that will do for me.”